TYRONE -- Sandy Creek owns three state titles in four seasons and a roster dotted with a dozen or so collegiate recruits.
Chestatee is coming off its first ever playoff victory.
One computer model/publication predicts a 30-point difference in the final score when the two teams face off on Friday.
This game will not be played on X-box or even paper, however. And the War Eagles (9-2) could care less about what anyone -- or anything -- outside their own locker room thinks about their second round Class AAAA playoff showdown against the No.1-ranked Patriots (10-0-1).
"We thrive on people not really expecting much from us," Chestatee coach Stan Luttrell said. "Getting off the bus, people look at us and don't expect what they get. Then all of a sudden they realize they're in a four-quarter fight. We don't have a lot of big names but we have a lot of good high school football players. That's what this team is. They love playing the game and playing it hard for four quarters."
(To watch a video preview of tonight's game, simply click "play" in the box to the right.)
All that group of battlers now cares about is the prospect in front of them.
"This is a big opportunity to go to Sandy Creek and get the win and send statements all over (Class AAAA) that we're a top contender," Chestatee defensive lineman/tight end Khalil Cantrell said.
Sandy Creek coach Chip Walker says he already counts the War Eagles a contender.
"It's going to be a challenge," Walker said. "You watch (Chestatee) on film and you see that how well coached they are. They have guys we're they're supposed to be on every play. They have a system in place, and they do outstanding stuff with it."
The War Eagles' system -- verbally constituted as, "hard, fast and physical" -- has already helped them to their best ever season, including a program record for wins (9-2) and deepest playoff appearance. And they are preparing to push that to the limit against a Patriots team that is amongst the best in the state -- regardless of classification -- over the past four seasons.
"I see a program whose one of the best in the state if not the nation," Luttrell said of Sandy Creek. "They have great players; they play hard; and they have great coaching -- all the things that great things program do."
The Patriots are coming off a 2012 Class AAAA championship in which they dominated, going 15-0 and facing a deficit just twice and, despite graduating a number of stars from that squad, have reloaded with plenty more talent -- including running backs Eric Swinney (1,056 yards, 19 TDs) and Delvin Weems, (1,156 yards, 18 TDs) both juniors, senior quarterback Cole Garvin (three-year starter, completing 65 percent of his passes for 1,896 yards and 15 TDs versus just 2 interceptions) and senior receiver Demarre Kitt (46 receptions for 803 yards, 6 TDs).
The group is also aided by a sizable offensive line that has helped the Patriots' I-formation offense average 244 yards rushing, setting the stage for what should be a physical slugfest in the trenches against a War Eagles team that also thrives on running the ball and stopping the run.
"We expect a physical game," said Luttrell, whose split-back option attack is averaging 269 rush yards per game but allowing opposing offenses just 2.61 yards per rush. "That's going to be the key: Who can play physical the longest? They're physical, and so are we, and we're looking forward to it."
Zac Cheshire is Chestatee's leading rusher with 1,191 yards (5.1 per carry) and 16 TDs, though the War Eagles feature plenty of backfield threats, including Tray Bryant, who has come on strong in the second half of the season with 590 yards rushing (5.9 per carry) and 11 TDs.
Yet the War Eagles know they must also be wary of Sandy Creek's passing game -- featuring the more-than-capable Garvin and the Clemson-bound Kitt.
"Cole can make all the throws, but he's unselfish too, and if that means hand the ball off every play, he's fine with that," Walker said. "Our core values center around knocking people off the ball and running it -- and that's what (Chestatee) thrives on too. There's no doubt it's going to be a very physical game."
With that in mind, the War Eagles know that they must also be tough psychologically -- something they showed in last week's first round 41-13 defeat of Grady, in which Chestatee overcame some early mistakes to post 41 unanswered points.
"Once they settled down played their brand of football they were successful," Luttrell said. "We've had a great week of practice and we're looking forward to Friday."
Indeed, there will be no talk of computer modules or odds come Friday's kickoff, just two teams ready for another playoff test.
"It's going to be great. If we get a win it will shock the world," said Chestatee linebacker William Fayson, who leads the team with 123 tackles. "But we won't be shocked because we've had a great week preparing."
CHESTATEE at SANDY CREEK
-- WHAT: Class AAAA football playoff, second round
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
-- WHERE: The Battlefield, Tyrone
-- RADIO: 102.9 FM
-- CHESTATEE (9-2, No. 2 seed Region 8-AAAA): Defeated Grady 41-13 in the first round.
-- SANDY CREEK (10-0-1, No. 1 seed Region 5-AAAA): Defeated Cedartown 63-10 in the first round.
-- WINNER PLAYS: Griffin vs. Statesboro winner in the quarterfinals
Saturday
November 23rd, 2024
10:54AM
